Weight Selecting Mechanism for Exercise Equipment

ABSTRACT

An exercise machine including a weight stack composed of a plurality of separate weights; a lifting bar that extrudes through the weight stack of exercise machine disposed for movement within the weight stack where; a plurality of pins extendable from within each separate weight plate of the weight stack for removably securing a portion of the weight stack to the lifting bar and retracting within the weight plate, whereby the total weight carried by the lifting bar is determined by the portion of the weight stack removably secured to the lifting bar by plurality of pins, wherein the extension of the plurality of pins from within each weight plate of the weight stack secures the portion of the weight stack to the lifting bar and the retraction of the plurality of pins within each weight plate of the weight stack removes the portion of the weight stack from the lifting bar; a hand selector (a handle or bar manually controlled by user of exercise machine) for either engaging the selector pin within each weight plate to a specific section of the lifting bar within the weight stack or retracting the selector pin within each weight plate from a specific section of the lifting bar whereby movement of the hand selector in one direction extends a selector pin to add weights to the weight stack and movement in the other direction retracts a selector pin or pins to release weight plate(s) from the weight stack; a locking mechanism that prevents any movement of the weight plates and/or the lifting bar, controlled by the hand selector, when user is in motion to select designated weight increment, and a locking mechanism that prevents the user to select designated weight increment when user is in motion to perform workout (mid-set).

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This new Weight Selecting Mechanism for Exercise Equipment was designed to improve an existing exercise machine/unit currently in the fitness industry, most commonly described as a selectorized unit. Selectorized units relate to a single or multiple station weight lifting type exercise apparatus/machine having cabled linkage, a newly designed lifting bar that extrudes through the weight stack of exercise machine to allow for a smoother motion for the user of the machine disposed within center of a vertical stack of weight plates connecting to linkaged cable, having direct lifting capabilities, consisting of a lifting bar with a series of openings whereby each opening of the lifting bar is aligned with an opening within each weight plate contained in the weight stack, and a selector pin in which a user of the apparatus/machine manually engages the weight plate to the lifting bar by horizontally inserting the selector pin through the weight plate and lifting bar aligned opening, whereby selecting that weight plate and all of the weight plates above it, producing the weight load the user prefers. More particularly, this Weight Selecting Mechanism for Exercise Equipment is a vast improvement to the present design of the existing machine of this type, as well as past and present patents relating to improvements of the existing machine of this type, allowing users of the apparatus/machine to add or reduce weight plates of the weight stack safely without changing his or her position, and eliminate the need to come into contact with the dangerous movement of the weight stack and moveable parts, while also eliminating the possibility of damaging the apparatus/machine.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,746,113 and 5,350,344 describe weight-lifting machines in which weight may be released by pushing a button on the lifting handle. However, these patents describe a complex device in which a computer-operated control mechanism for changing weights must be attached to the exterior of the weight set. Such a device is costly, maintenance-intensive and occupies space needed for other purposes. There remains a need for a simplified means by which weight may be added or released from a weight stack without the unit becoming extremely costly and/or hazardous to the user.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

These needs are met by the present invention. In accordance with the present invention there is provided an exercise machine including: a weight stack composed of separate weights; a lifting bar disposed for movement within the stack; selector pin means extending from within each weight plate of the weight stack for removably securing a portion of the weight stack to the lifting bar and retracting selector pin within each weight plate of the weight stack, whereby the total weight carried by the lifting bar is determined by the portion of the weight stack removably secured to the lifting bar by the selector pin means, wherein the extension of the selector pin means from within each weight plate of the weight stack secures the portion of the weight stack to the lifting bar and the retraction of the selector pin means within each weight plate of the weight stack removes the portion of the weight stack from the lifting bar.

The position of the selected selector pin in the designated weight plate within the weight stack determines the total overall weight output of the movement performed by the user. The lifting bar runs vertically through the center of the weight plate stack, controlled by the cable or belt and pulley system attached to the pushing or pulling handlebar. The selector pin(s) secured to each weight plate in the weight stack extend(s) to engage the aligned opening within the center lifting bar and aligned opening within the designated weight plate when designated weight increment is selected by user by way of hand selector. Reversely, the pin(s) retract(s) to disengage or release from the aligned opening within the center lifting bar and aligned opening within the designated weight plate when designated weight increment is de-selected by user by way of hand selector. The benefits of the weight selecting mechanism are the safety to the user, since the weight stack and movable parts can be fully and completely enclosed since user does not have to physically come into contact with the weight stack to select designated weight increment by way of a removable selector pin, unlike all other weight selecting (selectorized) exercise machine models of this type; the safety to bystander in close proximity to the exercise machine by eliminating the exposure of the weight stack of the exercise machine while the weight stack is in motion (only an exercise machine equipped with this weight selecting mechanism can be produced with a fully enclosed weight stack allowing for this safety); the safety of the user in regards to the automatic locking mechanism, which prevents user to select designated weight increment if user is in motion (mid-set) to perform workout, by engaging the handlebar, as well as prevents user to engage the handlebar if the user is in motion to select designated weight increment; the convenience of the user whereby the hand selector can be positioned in near proximity to the user, eliminating the need for user to change his or her physical position by way of standing, or adjusting position on seat of exercise machine, which can be conveniently located in relation to the particular type of exercise machine; prevents damage to the exercise machine and its components by preventing the user from engaging the weight selection while in mid-set by locking the hand selector while in mid-set, and preventing the user to perform workout by way of engaging the handlebar while in motion to select designated weight increment by locking handlebar; ability to retrofit this weight selecting mechanism to any existing weight selecting (selectorized) exercise machine models currently in the marketplace, or not yet in the marketplace, with minimum costs; improves the efficiency and workout effectiveness of the exercise machine, whereby reducing the time the user takes to perform the designated exercise of the exercise machine by reducing the time the user requires to physically select desired weight increment between workout sets, and eliminate the need for user to toggle a removable selector pin when selecting desired weight increment, providing an enhanced workout for the user; reduction of costs to the owner of the exercise machine since a removable weight selector pin is eliminated and does not need to be purchased or replaced when lost or misplaced, as well as the reduction of the wear and tear of the exercise machine and the cost to repair it.

The present invention includes exercise machines in which weight stacks are disposed horizontally, vertically, or any angle in between. The present invention also does not depend upon the size of the weight stack which may range between 10 and 500 pounds.

While the means for extending and retracting the selector pin means may be electrically operated and/or controlled, preferred devices in accordance with the present invention extend and retract the selector pin means from within each weight plate of the weight stack by purely mechanical means. The weight plate of the weight stack, selector pin means and means for extending and retracting the selector pin means from within the weight plate of the weight stack operate as a single component that is interchangeable with conventional weight plates and pins used with the weight stacks of commercially available exercise machines. Thus, existing exercise machines may be retrofitted to accommodate the device of the present invention without attaching multi-control devices to the exterior of the exercise machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many more other intended advantages can be readily attained by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective front view illustrating the use of the device of the present invention in combination with a conventional weight training machine; this figure also illustrates a particular weight plate readily selected by the user;

FIG. 1B is a perspective front view illustrating the use of the device of the present invention in combination with a conventional weight training machine; this figure also illustrates the mechanism while user would be in motion to select desired weight increment; note there are no weight pins selected in this figure.

FIG. 2A is a perspective back view illustrating the use of the device of the present invention in combination with a conventional weight training machine; this figure is also a perspective back view illustrating a particular weight plate readily selected by the user; this figure also illustrates the locking mechanism and the mechanism used to retract all pins while user would be selecting a desired weight increment.

FIG. 2B is a perspective back view illustrating the use of the device of the present invention in combination with a conventional weight training machine; this figure is also a perspective back view illustrating all pins in a retracted position while the user would be in motion to select desired weight increment; this figure also illustrates the locking mechanism engaged, locking the lifting bar and weight stack, whereby user is prevented from performing the motion of the workout.

FIG. 2C is a perspective back view illustrating the use of the device of the present invention in combination with a conventional weight training machine with the weight stack elevated at user's selected weight load increment; this figure also illustrates the locking mechanism, preventing the user from changing the weight increment selection while the user is performing exercise.

FIG. 3A is a perspective back view illustrating the use of the device of the present invention in combination with a conventional weight training machine showing an exploded view of various components of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is an exploded view illustrating the selector pins of the present invention that are within each weight plate of the weight stack.

FIG. 3C is an exploded view illustrating one version of the hand selector and selector pin engaging and retracting mechanism of the present invention; this hand selector can be produced in many different variations, and can be routed to a most convenient location to the user.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the hand selector of the present invention adapted to a conventional selectorized machine, illustrating the movement of the hand selector traveling in a vertical direction on a guide rod affixed to the selectorized machine; this hand selector can be produced in many different variations, and can be routed to a most convenient location to the user.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustrating a new and improved guide rod, that has been extended to protrude beyond the bottom of the weight stack to provide a smoother motion for the user.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating a conventional weight plate for a conventional weight training machine which includes two additional openings to accommodate the present invention selector pin mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a split side view of a stack of weight plates incorporating the device of the present invention, illustrating weight load selection, the engagement of a selector pin through a weight plate and lifting bar.

FIG. 8A is a split top view of a weight plate incorporating the device of the present invention, illustrating the engagement of a selector pin through a weight plate and lifting bar, engaged weight plate.

FIG. 8B is a split top view of a weight plate incorporating the device of the present invention, illustrating the dis-engagement of a selector pin from a weight plate and lifting bar, dis-engaged weight plate.

It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, but that certain elements have been expanded to show more clearly the various aspects of the present invention and their advantages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The device of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B as part of weight-lifting machine 20 in which weight stack 8 is carried by lifting bar 3 which is mechanically secured by a cable 2 fitted over a pair of pulleys 9 to a handlebar 1. The user pulls downwardly on the handlebar 1 to lift the weight stack 8 upwardly. Raising the handlebar 1 consequently lowers the weight stack 8. Any conventional means for controlling the path of the weight stack may be included in the present invention, such as guide rods 7 parallel to the lifting bar 3.

Although the weight lifting machine 20 is shown as a cable-operated device, the present invention is generally applicable to any weight training machine having a stack of weights securable by a selector pin to a lifting bar, of which many types are known in the art. For clarity of illustration, the frame of the weight lifting machine 20 is not depicted.

Thus, the combination of the weight stack 8 and lifting bar 3 can be oriented vertically, horizontally, or any angle in between. The weight stack 8 may consist of more or less than the amount of weight that is depicted in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B. Lifting bar 3 may be longer or shorter than depicted, depending upon the size of the weight stack 8 supported by lifting bar 3.

As shown in FIG. 1A, weight stack 8 consists of an engaged weight plate 22 which is secured to lifting bar 3 by the insertion of selector pin 4 into the lifting bar opening 23 and the weight plate opening 24. Both weight stack 8 and lifting bar 3 have individual openings that line up in respect to each other to engage a particular weight load to the lifting bar 3.

Each individual weight plate 21 will support all individual weights within the weight stack 8 resting on it. The weight to be initially lifted is selected by securing selector pin 4 from the weight plate 21 to the lifting bar 3, thus supporting each weight plate 21 above the engaged weight plate 22, creating the user selected weight load. The weight to-be initially lifted is selected by hand selector 5. The engagement of selector pin 4 by hand selector 5 is depicted in FIG. 1A.

The user selects the desired weight increment by moving the hand selector 5 to the desired weight load position in hand selector engagement guide 6, as depicted in FIG. 1A. The hand selector engagement guide 6 has individual engagement slots 25 that represents an individual weight load, as depicted in FIG. 1A. This same hand selector 5 is used to disengage all selector pins 4 when user positions hand selector 5 to the disengagement mode 27, as depicted in FIG. 1B.

The user can select any desired weight load by positioning the hand selector 5 to desired engagement slot 25 within the hand selector engagement guide 6. The user of the machine selects his or her desired weight load by moving the hand selector 5 within the hand selector engagement guide 6 to a specific engagement slot 25 within the hand selector engagement guide 6, thus engaging the engaged weight plate 22 to lifting bar 3 by way of the selector pin 4. This is depicted in FIG. 1A. When the user selects his or her desired weight load by moving the hand selector 5 within the hand selector engagement guide 6 to a specific engagement slot 25 within the hand selector engagement guide 6 the engaged weight plate 22 and each weight plate 21 above the engaged weight plate 22 will determine the total weight load, as depicted in FIG. 2B.

It should be noted that the drawings do not necessarily depict the exact design of the hand selector 5, as the hand selector 5 can be located in different locations and can be designed to work with a cable mechanism and other types of mechanisms.

Included in the present invention is a two-part locking mechanism to assure the safety of both the user and the machine. This locking mechanism prevents the hand selector from disengaging from its selected weight load while the user is performing the exercise (mid-set), and also locks the weight stack so that the user cannot perform the exercise while the user moves the hand selector to select the desired weight load. This two-part locking mechanism can be viewed in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C.

When the user is in motion to select his or her desired weight load by moving hand selector 5 to disengagement mode 27 the weight stack 8 is locked by weight stack locking mechanism 15. When hand selector 5 is in the disengagement mode 27 the hand selector 5 moves weight stack locking mechanism 15 over the weight stack 8, locking the weight stack 8 and preventing the weight stack 8 from moving. This locking mechanism was designed for the safety of the user and to prevent damage to the machine.

When the user is performing the exercise on the machine by moving handlebar 1 or any other affixed pushing bars to a machine to perform a specific workout for a specific body part, the locking mechanism prevents the user from moving the hand selector 5 and selecting a desired weight load by enabling the hand selector locking mechanism 14 designed to prevent the hand selector 5 from moving. The hand selector locking mechanism 14 is a plate between the hand selector 5 and weight stack 8 which provides space between the hand selector 5 and the weight stack 8, locking the hand selector 5 so that the hand selector 5 cannot be moved; this plate only comes into contact between the weight plates 21 and the hand selector 5 when the weight plates 21 are in mid-set, due to the location of the hand selector locking mechanism 14, as depicted in FIG. 2C.

The present invention also includes a selector pin retracting rod 13. This selector pin retracting rod 13 disengages all selector pins 4 to the disengaged selector pin mode 11. This action is engaged when the user places the hand selector 5 into the hand selector disengagement mode 27 by pressing the selector pin retracting rod 13 into all of the selector pins 4. The selector pin retracting rod 13 is affixed to two spring loads 12; one spring load 12 attached to the top of the selector pin retracting rod 13 and the other spring load 12 is attached to the bottom of the selector pin retracting rod 13. The two spring loads 12 are also affixed to the weight lifting machine 20, as depicted in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C.

Within each individual weight plate 21 is a selector pin 4. The selector pin 4 consists of two selector pin guide rods 17 and one weight plate and lifting bar engager pin 18, as depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B. Each side of the selector pin guide rods 17 and weight plate and lifting bar engager pin 18 are attached to selector pin plate 28, as depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B. When the hand selector 5 is in engagement slot 25 the selector pin 4 is slid in one direction. This direction would engage the weight plate 21 to the lifting bar 3, as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 8A. When the hand selector 5 is in the disengagement mode 27 the selector pin 4 is slid in the opposite direction, disengaging the lifting bar 3 from the weight plate 21, as depicted in FIGS. 1A and 8B.

The lifting bar 3 consists of a shaft with a plurality of openings, lifting bar openings 23, that line up with each individual weight plate 21, as depicted in FIG. 5. The present invention extends the lifting bar 3, lifting bar extension 26, so that it protrudes beyond the bottom of the weight stack 8 to provide a much smoother motion for the user. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise machine comprising: a weight stack composed of a plurality of separate weights; a lifting bar disposed for movement within said weight stack; a plurality of pin means extendible and retractable from within said separate weights for removably securing a portion of said weight stack to said lifting bar and retractable within said separate weights, wherein each selector pin means corresponds to one of said openings located on lifting bar whereby the total weight carded by the lifting bar is determined by the portion of said weight stack removably secured to said lifting bar by said selector pin means, wherein the extension of a selector pin means from within said separate weights secures said corresponding separate weight of said weight stack to said lifting bar and the retraction of said selector pin means within said separate weights remove said corresponding separate weight from said lifting bar; a hand selector means operated by user mechanically, thereby contacting said selector pin means with one or more of said selector pin means to sequentially add or remove said separate weights from said weight stack.
 2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein said weight stack is vertically disposed.
 3. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein said weight stack is disposed at an angle to the vertical plane.
 4. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein said lifting bar is mechanically secured to a handlebar, whereby movement of said handlebar by a user of said exercise machine moves said lifting bar within said weight stack
 5. The exercise machine of claim 4, wherein said lifting bar is mechanically secured to said handlebar by a cable and pulley system
 6. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein said separate weights include a plurality of pin means corresponding to each of said separate weights of said weight stack
 7. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein said means for extending said selector pin means extends a selector pin means securing a corresponding number of said separate weights.
 8. A weight stack composed of a plurality of separate weights, said lifting bar comprising: a plurality of openings from within said lifting bar for securing a portion of said weight stack to said lifting bar, wherein each selector pin means provided by separate weight plates corresponds to one of said separate openings of said lifting bar whereby the total weight carded by the lifting bar is determined by the portion of said weight stack removably secured to said lifting bar by said selector pin means, wherein the extension of a selector pin means from within said separate weight plates secures said corresponding separate weight of said weight stack to said lifting bar and the retraction of said selector pin means within said separate weight plates removes said separate weight from said lifting bar; a hand selector extending and retracting one or more of said selector pin means from within said separate weight plates, so that said separate weights of said weight stack may be changed;
 9. An exercise machine of claim 1 comprises of: a locking mechanism that prevents any movement of the weight plates and/or the lifting bar, controlled by the hand selector, when user is in motion to select designated weight increment; a locking mechanism that prevents the user to select designated weight increment when user is in motion to perform workout (mid-set).
 10. An exercise machine of claim 1 comprises of the locking mechanism which prevents the hand selector from disengaging from its selected weight load while the user is performing the exercise (mid-set); when the user is in motion to select his or her desired weight load by moving hand selector to disengagement mode the weight stack is locked by weight stack locking mechanism; when the user is performing the exercise on the machine by moving handlebar or any other affixed pushing bars to a machine to perform a specific workout for a specific body part, the locking mechanism prevents the user from moving the hand selector and selecting a desired weight load by enabling the hand selector locking mechanism designed to prevent the hand selector from moving; the hand selector locking mechanism is a plate between the hand selector and weight stack which provides space between the hand selector and the weight stack, locking the hand selector so that the hand selector cannot be moved; this plate only comes into contact between the weight plates and the hand selector when the weight plates are in mid-set (user is performing exercise), due to the location of the hand selector locking mechanism.
 11. An exercise machine of claim 1 comprises of the locking mechanism which locks the weight stack so that the user cannot perform the exercise while the user moves the hand selector to select the desired weight load; when hand selector is in the disengagement mode the hand selector moves weight stack locking mechanism over the weight stack, locking the weight stack and preventing the weight stack from moving;
 12. an exercise machine of claim 1 comprises of a lifting bar which consists of a lifting bar with a plurality of openings, lifting bar openings, that line up with each individual weight plate; the present invention extends the lifting bar, lifting bar extension, so that it protrudes beyond the bottom of the weight stack to provide a much smoother motion for the user. 